Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathic medicine is a form of medicine developed in 1874 by an allopathic physician who wanted to not only cure disease but prevent it. Today, its core philosophy is that the body should be treated holistically, with each component depending on the other. Practitioners earn a doctor of osteopathy (DO) degree. A DO has the same training and scope of practice as an MD and can apply to allopathic residencies and work in allopathic hospitals. However, a DO is also trained to use osteopathic manipulative treatment, which focuses on the musculoskeletal system.

Suggested undergraduate majors: Biochemistry, Physiology.

Graduate training: Four-year professional program plus three to eight years of residency (practicing medicine under supervision).

American Osteopathic Association: osteopathic.org/

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM): www.aacom.org/
Colleges of osteopathic medicine: www.aacom.org/become-a-doctor/u-s-colleges-of-osteopathic-medicine and www.aacom.org/become-a-doctor/about-osteopathic-medicine

Standardized test: Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): students-residents.aamc.org/taking-mcat-exam/taking-mcat-exam

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS): www.aacom.org/become-a-doctor/how-to-apply-to-osteopathic-medical-college

Please note: This page provides information for current SPU students and does not represent a program that SPU offers.

Alternative paths in medicine

Read in the Napa Valley Register how SPU alum Haylee Yepson (BS Physiology 2012) not only became a Doctor of Osteopathy, but is now one of only 200 Navy flight surgeons working in the US.

Osteopathic Medicine

Alternative paths in medicine

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